Growing Rice (Lowland/Paddy) in Narok

Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile

Narok County is a challenging environment for Rice (Lowland/Paddy) (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Rice (Lowland/Paddy) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Rice (Lowland/Paddy)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Rice (Lowland/Paddy), which favours clay. Narok receives approximately 800 mm/year — well below Rice (Lowland/Paddy)'s minimum of 1100 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 100/kg) and a typical 2,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Rice (Lowland/Paddy) crop here can gross roughly KES 200,000 per acre.

33Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientNarok soilRice (Lowland/Paddy) needsStatus
pH6.134.57OK
Nitrogen1.63 g/kgmin 1.2 g/kgOK
Phosphorus25.7 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium234 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK

Recommended seed varieties

KombokaMedium/Lowland
KALRO · 100-115 days · 20-28 bags/acre
High yielding paddy; resistant to blast; developed for Mwea and lowland Kenya.
Basmati 370Medium/Lowland
KALRO · 130-150 days · 18-24 bags/acre
Aromatic long-grain; premium export market; suited to Mwea Irrigation Scheme.

Economics

Market priceKES 100/kg
Expected yield2,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 200,000/acre

Preferred textureClay

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag